Siege of Genoa (1495)

The Siege of Genoa (1495) was a military action of the Italian War of 1494-98 that occurred when two French armies laid siege to the maritime republic of Genoa in Liguria, northern Italy. Despite being backed up by a blockade and almost a thousand reinforcements, the French were unable to subdue the Genoese without heavy losses, and the capture of Genoa cost the French half of their force; of the 1,159 French troops who assaulted the city, only 298 emerged alive.

The Republic of Genoa controlled vast trade routes in the Mediterranean Sea, and it proved to be a bountiful target for France during its conquest of Italy. The French king Charles VIII of France was partially motivated to invade Italy by the promises of plunder, leading to him ordering the sacking or extermination of almost every city that resisted his armies. In 1495, the generals Louis d'Orleans (the future Louis XII of France) and Robert de La Marck converged on the city of Genoa, besieging it with nearly 2,000 troops. In addition, a French fleet blockaded the port, cutting it off from its vital trade routes. Nevertheless, the brave Genoese resolved to defend their city from the French invasion. When the French succeeded in battering the gates open with rams, their soldiers were immediately met by the frenzy of melee combat, as the Genoese soldiers awaited the arrival of the French soldiers before assaulting them. The French suffered extremely heavy losses, with units on both sides of the battle fighting to the death. Ultimately, it would be the Genoese side that made its last stand within the walls of Genoa, however. The Genoese suffered 837 losses out of 870 defenders, while the French lost 861 men.

Genoa's fall was a stimulus to economic growth in the Kingdom of France, but the need for artillery support during sieges became apparent due to the French army's heavy losses. The fall of Genoa would also allow for French forces heading into Tuscany to pass through French-held Liguria rather than snake through Lombardy, around several hostile city-states, and through the mountains, a process that could take an entire year. Now, King Charles was no longer in danger of being cut off by his foes.